Grassfield Passes By Western Branch 21-9

Isaiah Twitty and DeMarte' Johnson talk with the refs before Friday night's game. Johnson was being chased all night by Twitty. Twitty left the game early with a knee injury....Photo By Matt Aiton

Tyler Clark had a big night scoring three touchdowns, including two in the air. Clark finished the night with 138 yards going 7 for 16 with two 35-yard touchdown passes to Terrell Johnson...Photo By Matt Aiton

Some called it the game who will compete with Oscar Smith for the Southeastern district title, others called it a straight battle between two good playoffs teams from last year. Grassfield came in 1-0 after a win against Nansemond River last week and Western Branch lost to a Booker T. Washington, but throw the records out between these two rivals.

It was a sloppy game starting off as both teams exchanged fumbles on back to back possessions. Junior Tyler Clark for the Grizzlies fumbled the ball for the second time in Bruins territory. Good thing linebackers Isaiah Twitty and Roy Danielson are one of the best duos in the state, as they held the Bruins to just a field goal. The Grizzlies drove down the field on their next position but Ryan Woodcook missed his field goal attempt.

The night wasn't starting off how coach Martin Asprey planned. "I just think sometime are kids get to excited to make too many plays, they started making too many mental mistakes and turning the ball over." Down 3-0 late in the first half coach Asprey didn't feel he had to give his team a speech to motivate them. "I just kind of leaned on the seniors and our defense and they got the job done."

On the next drive the Bruins senior quarterback DeMarte' Johnson pitched the ball, but missed his tailback and Twitty was right there to recover it for the Grizzlies on the Bruins 31-yard line. A play later, Clark hooked up with receiver Terrell Johnson for a 35-yard touchdown pass giving the Grizzlies their first lead heading into half 7-3. Grassfields senior reciever Johnson, finished the night with 2 catches for 73 yards and 2 touchdowns.

In the third quarter Grassfield didn't miss a beat when Clark found Kousan Dixon for a 25-yard pass, then Alfonso Emery ran the ball to about the 7-yard line. Clark could smell the end zone from there, running it in by himself, as Grassfield took the lead 14-3.

The Bruins tried to respond as Johnson hit running back Leondre Walker up the sideline, but Walker coughed the ball up giving it back to the Grizzlies. With very good field postion Clark wanted to put this team away after the way they started. "We came out super sloppy and we just had to take control, everyone had to step up. Coach said the seniors got to lead us, Johnson(Terrell) was super big, that's my boy." A few plays later Clark bombed another one to his friend Johnson for another 35-yard touchdown, giving the Grizzlies a 21-3 lead. Clark finished the game with 138 yards passing and was 7 for 16 with a total of 3 touchdowns.

The Bruins would tack on a late touchdown by a 6-yard touchdown run by Johnson who finished with 53 yards on 14 carries and was 13 for 22 with 97 yards passing. Final Score Grassfield 21 Western Branch 3.

Player of the Game
Presented By Lendys

Grassfield QB Tyler Clark who finished the night with a total of 3 touchdowns.

Defensive Player of the Game
Presented By Danny's Glass

Isaiah Twitty who had 10 tackles and a fumble recovery

Coach Nieman's Analysis
Presented By Advanced Restoration

There are not a lot of things that separate these two teams. With athletes all over the field, good coaching and solid defenses these teams almost mirror each other. But what it came down to was big plays. The Grizzlies quarterback Tyler Clark found his senior receiver Terrell Johnson twice for 35-yard touchdown bombs, while DeMarte' Johnson, quarterback for the Bruins just couldn't find enough time or space to get the ball to his play makers.

Bottom line these are two good teams who will each finish in the upper half of the district. Coach Chris Johnson of the Bruins has some work to do, as he isn't used to starting 0-2. Things only get tougher for Martin Asprey's Grizzlies as they will face No. 4 Maury next week at home.